This is a beginning language course, which is designed to develop all language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing are developed simultaneously. Oral communication is a priority and students are expected to show progress through speaking tasks performed individually or in groups. Vocabulary and grammar as well as idiomatic features of Spanish are presented in logical progression so that the student learns by practice. Students will be expected to communicate about themselves and others using present tense phrases by the end of this course. The course will expose students to the cultures of the Spanish-speaking countries.